Machine for straightening light bars, needles, and the like.



LiGHT BARS, NEEDLES ELLE MACHlNE FOR STRAKGHTEN AND THE LIKE.

Patenmd Dec. 21, 1915.

D JUNE 2 4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

we Q INVENTOR WITNESSES:

.TWENDALE.

0 L1 BARS 1NEEDLES,AND THE LIKE.

GHT

MACHMLE FOR STRAIGHTENIN APPLlCAUON. 11150 YUNE 151101111111 Dec. 2

4 SHEETS-SHEEY 21 ATTORNEY 7 W V E N TOR m paw/M1,

WITNESSES:

w IWENDAL MACHINE FOR STRMGX HEYHJG LIGHT BARS NEEDLES, AND THE LIKE,

AFPUCAUON FILED IUNEZ. i911.

Patented 1M. 21, 1915.

4 SHEETS-BURT 3.

WITNESSES:

Q Zarna k J11 W. TWENDALE. MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING UGHT BARS, NEEDLES,mm THE um APPLICATION HLED JUNEZ. i921.

WITNESSES:

v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM TIVENDALE, OF CLYDEBANK, SCOTLAND,ASSIGNOR TO THE SINGER MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING LIGHT BARS, NEEDLES, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed June 2, 1911.

To all Ichom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \YILLIAM TDENDALE, a subjectof the King of theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and re- 5 siding atClydebank, Dumbartonshire Scotland, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Machines for Straightening Light Bars, Needles, and thelike, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawings.

'l his'invention has for its object to provide a simple and effectivemechanism for straightening light bars or wires, and particularly sewingmachine needles, and the following description relates more particularlyto the truing of sewing machine needles subsequent to the temperingoperation. It is embodied in a machine preferably constructed with areciprocatory needle- 'inserter in the form of a hopper having itsdelivery end portion movable into and out of alinement with the jaws ofa needle-shank gripping chuck or movable support mounted for rotationupon a longitudinally traveling carriage and provided with periodicallyacting means for opening and closing the chuck-jaws to release astraightened needle and to grasp a succeeding unstraightened needledelivered thereto by the hopper. Under the preferred action of itsfeeding mechanism the carriage advances to bring the part of theneedle-blade adjacent the shank into the range. of action of astraightener in the form of a reci 'n'ocating hammer and above anadjacent anvil or stationary needle-support, the needle preferablyentering between the spaced jaws of a feeler close to and preferablyupon the opposite side of the anvil from the path of the ham mer. As thecarriage performs its retractive feeding movement, during whichpreferably uniform rotation is imparted to the chuck, the hammer strikesthe needle-blade a suc 4 cession of blows in preferably concentratedgroups or series adjacent the shank and eye, respectively, and anextended intermediate series along the blade during such rotation, theimpact of the hammer being controlled by an in'ipact-regulatorcomprising a wedgeblock connected with said feeler and affording amovable stop-to "ary the blow of the hammer at the instant of deliveryand cor- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

Serial No. 630,955.

respondingly with the degree of deflection or eccentricity of theneedle. The hammer is arranged to move in a path close to the anvil andbetween the same and the needleholding chuck. ,while the feeler which isgoverned in its action by the deflection of the needle from its axis ofrotation, is also preferably arranged close to but upon the oppositeside of the anvil, which latter is preferably rounded upon the sidetoward the hammer path, so that the edge of the anvil, adjusted so as topresent its operative' face slightly below the blade of a straightenedneedle mounted in the chuck, is close to the feeler. 1

It has been found in practice in the tempering of needles that thedistortion due to successive heating and rapid cooling is greatest atthe points where differences in thickness occur, viz., at the junctionof the blade with the shank and at the eye, while in the intermediateportion the distortion is comparatively slight. Owing to the smallamount of deflection of needles having even the maximum degree ofdistortion received under actual working conditions, and the extremelysmall power possessed by the needles to actuate the impact regulator,the effective action of the hammer can be antomatically controlled onlywithin a comparatively limited range of adjustment. l urthermore. it hasbeen found impracticable. without materially increasing the complexityof the mechz'inism, to time the han'imcr-blows so that they shall bede-' tively large number of relatively light blows in quick succession.the periodof action of the hammer and the lengthwise feed of the.

needle being so timed that a primary series of regulated blows isdelivered upon the blade adjacent the shanflt while the needle continuesto rotate. sop-that a suflicient number of impacts is delivered in suchportion of the needle to perform the shank and'a point near is a sideelevation of flat base 1 to straightening action cumulatively. A furtherseries of blows is distributed along and around the blade in such manneras to remove any deflection therein intermediate the the eye, at whichpoint the feed of the needle is again arrested for delivery of a finalseries of concentrated re' gulated blows around the circum feren'ce ofthe needleblade adjacent the eye, preferably somewhat greater in numberthan the primary series of blows, with an effect at such point similarto that previously produced adjacent the shank.

The present invention consists primarily in the special arrangement ofthe anvil, the hammer and the needle-holding and the feeding meanswhereby the needles are antomatically straightened successfully, whichresult has been found impracticable of attainment heretofore,notwithstanding the wide range of experimental work which has beenperformed with this end in view.

The invention further consists in the special relation to the hammer andthe anvil of the feeler which engages the needle-blade upon the oppositeside of the anvil from the path of the hammer, and in various specialconstructive features of the machine.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 a machine embodying with the bedand other portions partly in section, Fig. 2 a plan of the same, Fig. 3a transverse sectional elevation of the chuck-carriage-supporting endportion of the machine, and Fig. 4 a partial transverse sectional viewof the machine taken intermediate the ends. Fig. 5 is a detachedperspective view showing the hammer-head, the anvil, the feeler-armembracing the needle-blade and a portion of the impact-regulatingmechanism connected therewith. Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective viewpartly in section, showing the wedgeblock of the impact-regulator andthe parts of the hammer mechanism with which it co operates, and Fig. 6a side elevation of the wedge-block detached. Fig. 7 is a porspectiveview of a portion of the needle-trayshifting mechanism. Figs. 8 and 9are perspective views representing portions of the device forperiodically arresting the rotation of the chuck-spindle. Fig. 10 is anenlarged sectional plan of the needle-chuck. Fig. 11 shows the hammernose-piece with a transverse notch having convergent sides to insure thecentering of the needle-blade beneath the hammer. Figs. 12 and 13represent developments of the hammer throw-outand feed-cams,respectively.

The machine is shown provided with the which are bolted the feet of thepresent improvements,

the end standards frame, one of the standards 2 being provided withbearings 4 in which is journaled the transverse main or driving-shaft- 5carry- 2 of the bed 3 O the ing the loose belt-wheel 6 having a hub 7whose inner end is formed with a radial notch entered by a tongue 8 ofthe collar 9 fixed upon the shaft by means of the pin 10. The outerportion of the pulley hub (3 is formed with an annular groove 11 enteredby inwardly extending pins 12 of they yoke 13 of a lever 14 whose hub isadjust-ably secured by means of the nuts 15 and 16 upon a reciprocatingrod 17 slidingly mounted in the bearing bosses 18 of the standard 2 andprovided at the forward end with a knob 19. The threaded outer endof'the shaft 5 is provided with a split internally threadedthrust-collar 20 between which and the adjacent end of the pulley-wheelhub 7 is interposed the spring "21 for normally maintaining the notch ofthe pulley-wheel hub in operative engagement with the tongue 8 of thefixed collar 9. Fulcrumed upon a screw-stud :22 tapped into the forwardhearing boss 18 is a latch-lever 23 having at one end an offsetlinger-piece 21 with its opposite end normally in engagement with ablock fixed upon and affording a detaim ing shoulder of thereciprocating clutch-rod 17, the operative end of the lever 23 beingdrawn downwardly to rest in engagement with the block 25 by means of thespring 26. In the normal operation of the machine, when the pulleyuvheel6 is clutched to the main-shaft 5 under the action of the sprii'ig 21,the block 25 of the rod 17 lies beneath the operative end of thelatch-lever 23, but to stop the rotation of the main-shaft the knob 19is pushed by. the operator to disengage the tongue 8 from its notch inthe pulley hub 7, and the operating rod 17 is held retracted by thesnapping of the end of the latch-lever behind the block 25, the partsbeing thusmaintained until the finger-piece 21. of the latch-lever isdepressed by the operator, when the operating rod 17 is released and thepulley-wheel is again clutched to the main-shaft. The tongue 8 of thefixed collar 9 is made of taper form so as to oppose an inclinedshoulder to the adjacent wall of the radial groove in the pulley hub 7for forcing the pulley (3 backwardly in opposition to its spring 21 incase an abnormal resistance should be plaeed upon the main-shaft 5 bythe jamming of certain parts connected therewith.

The top of the bed 3 affords a seat for the base-plate 27 of the slidingchuck-carriage which is confined in a guideway thereon withtheoverhanging guide-bars 28 secured in position by screws 29 andentering sidegrooves in the base-plate 27, the lower portion of which ismaintained in suitable alinement by means of wearing strips 30interposed between the same and the sides of the guideway and laterallyadjustable by means of'the screws 31 with jam-nuts The base-plate 27 hasa depending boss 33 entering an aperture 34 in the bed 3 and is providedwith a stud 35 carrying a roller.

36 entering a groove or pathway 37 of the feed-cam-cylinder 38 which isfixed upon the cam-shaft 39 mounted in depending bearings 40 of the bed3. The cam-shaft carries near its rearward end the wormwheel 41 meshingwith a worm 42 fixed upon the transverse driving shaft 5 from whichconnection the cam-shaft derives its operative rotary movements at arelatively slower speed than that of the driving shaft.

The bed-plate 27 of the carriage is provided with two upright bearingmembers 43 provided with the alined bushings 44 formed with reverselytapered apertures, and within the forward bushing is fitted thecorrespondingly tapered journal 45 of the tubular chuck-spindle 46having slidingly secured by means of a spline 47 near its opposite endthe conical collar 48 externally fitted to the bore of the rearwardbushing 44 and held in contact therewith by means of the. internallythreaded split collar 49 applied to the threaded extremity of thechuck-spindle 46 and clamped thereon against turning by means of theclamp-bolt 50. The spindle 46 is formed at the forward end with thecylindrical head 51 formed with transverse slots 52 in which are pivotedby means of the pins 53 the levers 54 formed at their forward ends withthe opposed needle-gripping jaws fitted, in a manner well known, to theneedle shanks 11/ whose blades n are to be straightened. The levers 54are slitted longitudinally near the inner edges to form yielding tongues56 engaged by the points of adjusting screws 57 secured in position bythe lock nuts 58, whereby the space between the rounded extremities 56of the tongues 56 may be adjusted to compensate forwear. The chuck-head51 has secured thereto by means of the screws 59 the feet 60 ofspringblados 61 entering the slots 52- and resting upon the outer edgesof the clutch-levers 54 for normally pressing them inward to separatethe chuck-jaws 55. I

Fitted slidingly within the hollow chuckspindle 46 is the reciprocatingrod 62 having its forward portion flattened at 63 and wedge-shaped atits extremity 64 to enter the space between the rounded ends 56 of thechuck-lever tongues 56, the rod 62 having a lateral groove 65 entered bythe re duced inner end of a transverse screw 66 in the chuck-spindle bymeans of which the rod 62 is connected to rotate with the chuck-.spindle but adapted to move endwise therein.: The rearward end of thechuck-operating rod 62 has secured thereon by means of the pin 67 thehub 68 of a collar69 provided with an annular groove 70 entered byinwardly extending pins 71 of a fork 72 in the upwardly extending arm 73of a' rocklever fulcrumed by means of the pin 74 upon the bracket 75carried by the chuckcarriage bed-plate 27, said rock-lever having adepending arm 76 carrying a rollerstud 77 entering a groove or path-way78 of a cam-cylinder 79 also fixed upon the camshaft As shown in thedrawings, the cam-cylinder 79 presents a smooth cylindrical surfacebeneath the roller-stud 77 d111- ing the travel of the chuck-carriageunder the action of the cam 38, and its cam-plates 7S are so arrangedand proportioned that they operate upon the rock-lever only during theperiod when the chuck is to be opened and closed, and while the carriageis temporarily at rest in retracted position.

The chuck-spindle 46 has fixed thereon the conical bushing 80 and isprovided with a sleeve 81 slidingly fitted thereto and locked fromturning thereon by means of a spline, said sleeve carrying a secondbushing 82 with conical outer face oppositely directed to the fixedbushing 80; and upon these bushings is fitted the conically recessed hub3 of a grooved belt-wheel 84. To the externally threaded portion of thechuckspindle 46 adjacent the sleeve 81 is applied an internally threadedthrustcollar 85, between which and the sliding bushing is interposed thespring 86 by means of which the pulley S4 for rotating the needle-chuckhas a frictional driving connection with the chuck-spindle.

The needlc-inserter is shown as a hopper constructed with the parallelplates 87 and 88 separated apart slightly more than the thickness of theneedle-shanks by means of the lateral strip 89, and secured together bymeans of the screws 90. Secured upon the plate 87 by means of screws 91is a plate 92 formed with a lip 93 adapted to afford one side-wall ofthe channel-way forthe needles of which the other wall is formed by theinner edge of the spacing strip 89. Secured to the outer faces of thelower portion of the needle-hopper by means of screws 94 are the shanks95 of spring-ueedle-holders having inwardly recessed jaws 96 adapted toembrace the lower needle-shanks as they gravitate downwardly through thehopper, one pair of said jaws entering the apertures 55* formed thereforin the chuckjaws and the other extending just in-front of the chuck-jawswhen the hopper is in operative or needle delivering position, asrepresented in the drawings.

To the back of the needle-hopper is secured one member of an angle-piece97 whose other member is adjustably secured by means of the screw 98 tothe forward 195 extremity of a supporting arm 99 having its hub 100adjustably secured by means of the set-screw 101 upon a rock-shaft 102journaled in suitable bearings 103 of the brackets 104 secured to thebed 3 by means of screws 104". The hub of the needle-hopper supportingarm has an upwardly extending arm 105 in which is swiveled a pin 106having pivotally connected to its head 107 by means of the transversepin 108 the rearward end of a pressure-lever 109 whose forward endpasses through a transverse slot 110 in the needle-hopper and rests uponthe shank of the top needle therein, the requisite pressure beingimparted to the lever 109 by means of a cord 111. extending downwardlythrough an aperture 112 in the bed 3 and in practice carrying a weight.

The rockshaft 102 has loosely mounted thereon the laterally extendinglever 113 connected by means of the pivotalpin 114 with the upper end ofa link 115 extending.

downwardly through an aperture in the bed 3 and having its opposite endconnected by means of the pin 116 with one end of a lever 117 extendingcrosswise and above the camshaft 39 and having its opposite endsupported by means of a pivotal pin 118 in the bearing bracket 119secured by means of screws 120 to the under side of the bed 3. The lever117 carries a lateral stud 121 normally resting upon the periphery of acylindrical cam-ring 122 fixed upon the cam-shaft 39 and provided at onepoint in its periphery with a notch or recess 123. The pivotal pin 114projects through and beyond the link 115 and its reduced outer portionaffords a support for the lower side of a rigid arm 124 preferablynotched to receive the same and having a hub 125 fixed upon therockshaft 102 by means ofthe transverse pin 126. As the pin 114 affordsa support for the arm 124- of the shaft 102 carrying the needlehopper,and the position of the pin 114 is determined by that of the lever 117it will be observed that when the stud 121 is upon the periphery of thecam-ring 122 and the link 115 and supporting pin 114 are in elevatednormal position, the needlehopper will .be in upper retracted positionentirely out of the range of movement of the chuck, which is permittedto rotate freely and to travel with its supporting carriage in feedingthe needle toward and from straightening position; but when the stud 121of the lever 117 enters the notch 123 of the cam 122, and the lever 117drops, the needle-hopper will be lowered into operative position topresent a needle embraced by its springjaws 96 to the chuck-jaws Therockshaft 102 has secured thereon by means of the set-screw 127 the hub128 of a depending arm 129 having a laterally offset portion 130 adaptedto engage the adjacent bearing bracket 104 when the needle hopper ismanually raised into substantially horizontal position for renewal ofthe supply of needles I or for other purposes.

Secured upon the bed 3 by means of the screws 131 is theanvil-supporting block 132 having an extension 133 upon thhtop affordinga vertical seat 134 to which is secured the anvil 135 in the form of aflat plate whose upper edge 136, beveled or rounded on the side adjacentthe chuckcarriage, affords a support upon which the needles are bent inthe straightening operation. The anvil-plate has a transverse slot 137parallel with its operative edge which is entered by the clamp-screws138 passing through a capplate 139 by means of which the anvil issecured in position. The top of the body portion of the anvil block 132is provided with a vertical slot with the bottom slightly inclined toafford a bearing for the wedgeplate 140 having a similarly inclinedlower edge, and with its upper edge affording a seat for the lower edgeof the anvil-plate. The wedge-plate 140 has a T-head 141 through whichare tapped the adjusting push-screws 142 with points resting against theend of the anvil-block 132, and is provided with an aperture 143 enteredby the adjusting screw 144 which'is tapped into the anvil-block 132intermediate the pushscrews 142. The operative edge 136 of the anvil isset normally below the axis of rotation of the needle-chuck a distanceslightly greater than one-half the diameter of the needle-blades. butits height is made adjustable to vary this distance as may be requiredand to compensate for wear, by ad usting the position of the wedge-plate140 transversely to the chuck-spindle. This is accomplishedbymanipulation of the adjusting screws 142 and 144 in a manner well known.

The hammer comprises the wedge-shaped nose-piece 145 whose reducedoperative end is shown formed with a transverse groove or notch 146 toreceive and{ cen ter the needle-blade, the nose-piece being providedwith the threaded shank 147 adapted to be secured in the correspondinglythreaded socket of the hammer-head 148 which is provided with the usualtransverse eye to receive the helve 149 upon which it is adjustablysecured by means of the setscrew 150. The helve 149 is in the form of avibratory arm having a hub 151 adjustably secured by the set-screw 152upon the hammer-supporting rock-shaft 153 journaled in suitable bearings154 of the bracket member 155 secured by bolts 156 upon and at one endof the bed 3. To the lower side and low points. or notches 161 whose engagement with the outer end portion of the Wearing plate 158 causes thealternate lifting and release-of the helve 149 for imparting operativemovements to the hammer-head, whose. path of movement is ad jacent theoperative edge 136 of the anvil and relatively remote from thechuck'jaws 55 between which and the .anvil it has its reciprocatorymovements. The cam-wheel 159 is fixed upon the transverse shaft 162mounted in bearings 163 parallel with the rock-shaft 153 and carryingupon its rearward end the spiral gear 161- meshing with the similar gear165 upon the upper end of a vertical shaft 166 whlch carries at itslower end anotherspiral gear 107 meshing with a spiral gear 168 which isfixed upon the' main-shaft By the connections just de scribed, the shaft162 has rotary movements imparted to it in unison with those of the mainor driving shaft.

Adjustably secured upon the forward end of the hammer rock-shaft 1525 bymeans of the set-screw 169 is the hub 170 of a rigid arm 171 carrying atits outer extremity a hook 172 to which is attached one end of a spring173 whose opposite end is connected to a hook 171 secured to the bed 3.While the hammer-head would naturally fall by gravity as the wearingplate 158 rides succcssively over the teeth 160 of the hammerretractiugcam-wheel 159. the spring 17 3 not only assists the hammer in performingits falling oroperative movements, but att'ords a means of adjustment ofthe intensity of the lmmmerstroke by the shifting of the arm 171 uponthe hammer rock-shaft. The effect of the spring 173 combined with theaction of gravity upon the hammer-head produces upon the straighteningmember a peening impact. 1

i-hiljustal'fly securedv upon the hammer rock-shatt- 153 by means of theset-screw 175 is the hub 176 of a striker-arm 177 which is connectedwith a laterally extending wing 178 of the hub 151 by means of theadjusting pushand pull-screws 179 and 180, respectively, the formerbeing tapped through the wing 17S and having its point resting upon thetop of the arm 177 and the latter passing through the wing 178 and beingtapped into the arm 177. The lower ()]')('l'fltl\'(5 edge 177 of the armi177 is slightly inclined upwardly and in the operative movements ofthe hammer is adapted to engage the corres wndingly inclined upperoperative face 181 (Fig. i) of a sliding v-redge-block 132 constitutingthe active member 01 the impact-regulator resting upon the flat upperface of the supporting block 18 which issccm'ed upon a horizolr talmem'ier 1H1 oi the bracket 1:75 and provided with the undercutguidwslrips 195 embracing the lateral llanges 182- of the wedge-blockfor which they allord. in (-onjunction with the block 183. a slidewaytransverse to the rock-shait 153. By temporarily loosening the set-screw175 nd successively turning the adjusting screws -17f) and 180, theposition 0.. the arm 177 may be adjusted relatively to the hammer helve149, whereby the normal advance or straighteningposition of the nose ofthe hammer 115 will be determined when the wedge-block 182 is in initialposition, the latter serving to arrest the downward movement of thehammer-head under the action of gravity and the spring 173.

The wedge-block 182 is formed with the spaced ears 186 between which ispivotally secured by means of the pin 187 one of the eyed ends of aconnecting rod 188. whose opposite end is connected by means of the pin18$) with the forked upper end of an arm 190 whose hub is fixedadjustably by means of the set-screw 191 upon the feeler rock-slnrlt 192having conical-pointed extremities entering corresponding sockets in thebearing screws 19 tapped respectively through the spaced members 19%.ot' a hearing yoke extending laterallvfrom the anvilsupporting block andprovided with the set nuts 195. Fixed upon the shaft 192 by means of theset-screw 196 is a block 197 having extending therefrom toward the anvilthe rigid arm 1% having at its outer end the enlargement 199 slightlyofiset upwardly to form the lower jaw of the feeler. The top of theblock 197 affords a flat seat 200 upon which is secured by means of thescrews 201 passing through it and tapped into the block 197 the endportion 202 of a lateral arm 203 overlying the arm 19S and havingsecured at its outer end by means of the screw 201 the block 205 whichattords the upper jaw of the feeler between which and the lower jaw 199the portion of the needle adjacent and beyond the anvil from the hammerpath projects in a direction substantially parallel with the feelerarms.

Secured by means of the set-screw 206 upon the teeler-shatt- 192intermediate the block 197 and the hub of the upright arm 190 is the hub207 of a lateral arm 208 carrying the counter-lmlance weight 209 securedthereon by the sctsrrew 210. the weight being adjusted to counteract theweight oi. the lateral arms 1% and 203 so that the several memberscarried by therock-shatt shall have no resultant turning moment, and thetrader is made substantially a floating mem ber adapted to follow withthe greatest trees dom and precision the ercentrieities of theneedle-blade while the latter rotates. Be- 128 yond the block 197 therock-shaft 192 has secured thereon by means of the set-screw 211 the hub212 of :1 depending arm 213 whose plit lower end portion 214 istransversely apertured to receive the stop-screw 215 which is heldagainst turning by means of the clamp-screw 216 passing through the.lower end of the part 7211 of the depending arm "213. the point of thescrew 215 resting against the adjacent fare of the anvil-block 132. Bythe means just described, the range of upward movement of the feeleujawsis limited, while the needle resting in contact with the anvil 136affords a limit of movement therefor in the reverse direction.

The parts are so proportionate and arranged that when the portion of theneedleblade embraced by the feeler jaws is con centric with the axis ofrotation of the needle-chuck, the feeler rock-shaft 192 is so held bythe lateral arms 19S and 203 that the wedge-block 182 is maintainedinnormal position beneath the striker-arm 177. and the minimum strokefor which the hammer is adjusted is imparted to the same. As a crook orbend in the needle enters the feelerjaws. the feeler-arms are forceddownwardly and the wedge-block is withdrawn from initial position topermit the increased stroke of the; hammer which strikes the needleblade upon the opposite side of the anvil and thrusts the adjacentportion down 'wardly, which causes the portion embraced remove thelateral deflections or eccentrici-' ties therein. As the feeler rests incontact with the same bend of the needle-blade struck by the hammer andsimultaneously with the straightening impacts thereon, it

is evident that the impact-regulator con nected therewith serves tocontrol with the utmost precision the straightening cfiect ofeach of thehammer blows. As each of the feeler-blocks 199 and 205 is adapted tocontact with the needle. it is evident that either of thesefeeler-elements may be employed and the other dispensed with withoutseriousdetriment to the control of the hammer; and

it has been found in practice that the lower of these elements willsatisfactorily perform the function of the feeler without means otherthan the counter-weight 209- or an equivalent springfor maintaining itin operative relation with the under side of the needle-blade. As thehammer strokes should cease during the retraction of the needlechuck andrenewal of needles therein and advance of the same for a succeedingstraightening operation, the bed 3 is provided with a tubular standard217 affording a bearing for a vertically movable stop-bar 218 whoseupper end is adapted to engage the hammer helve 14? intermediate itsends, and its lower end rests upon the periphery of a cam-disk 219 whosehub 220'is'fiiied by means of the set-screws 221 upon the cam-shaft 39.At the desired point of the machine cycle, after the point of the needlehas advanced across the anvil, the stop-bar 218 permitted to descend topermit the wearmg'plate 158 to resume operative relation with thehannner-lifting cam 159, the

ried-motion feed, the cam-cylinder 38 having secured upon its peripheryfor the purpose the spaced cam-plates 38 and 38, the

edges of which are engaged by the roller 36 carried by the studdepending from the carriage. As represented diagrammatically in Fig. 13.the operative edge of the camplate 38* is formed with astraight portion37 to afford the initial dwell for presentation ofthe needle-bladeadjacent the shank to the hammer for a succession of concen' tratedstraightening blows in the advance position of the needle over theanvil, an inclined portion 37 for producing the lengthwise feed of theneedle for distribution of the hammer-blows along the needle-blade, anda straight portion or dwell 37 for arresting or materially retarding thefeed of the needle to present that portion of the blade adjacent the eyefor the final concentrated series of hammer blows. After'the arrest ofthe hammer reciprocations, the roller 36 engages the abruptly inclinedportion 37 of the cam edge for production of the final retrogrademovement of the needle to extreme retracted position wherein it ispermitted to remain by reason of the straight portions 37 of theadjacent edges of the cam-plates 3S and 38 enedneedle is released fromthe chuck or holder and an unstraightened needle is -inserted therein,after which the tru'yerse of the roller 36 in engagement with theabruptly and reversely inclined cam edge portion 37 of the cam-plate 38causes the advance of the needle to extreme position over the anvilwherein it is permitted to remain While the roller 36 traverses-thestraight portion of the grooveafiorded by the substantially paralleladjacent edges 37 of the two cam-plates 38* and 38 for reception of theinitial series of straightening blows adjacent the shank. The dwellportions 37 and 37" while represented as disposed in planes slightlyinclined to each them perpendicular to the axis of the camcylinder 38.are not necessarily so arranged, as the degree of concentration of theinitial and final series of straightening blowsnear while thestraightother and one of the shank and the eye of the needle,respectively, may obviously be varied to suit the character of theneedles, as regards size and temper. The rotation of the needle combinedwith its endwise travel thus produces a. helical feeding movement beforeor in front of the hammer having a. pitch with dwells therein caused bythe dwell portions 37 and 37 of the cam for interruption of the axialmovement while the-circular movement continues. During each rotation ofthe needle the series of regulated blows of the hammer are delivered inquick succession, there being as high as six or more hammerimpacts 011each rotation of the needle.

The hammer in the present embodiment of this invention operates as animpactstraightener in its delivery of quick or instantaneous blows tothe needle to be straightened, in distinction from pressurestraighteners such as those employed in straightening heavy anduntempered rails or bars by application of gradual bending strainsthereon. It is obviously immaterial whether the lengthwise movements ofthe needle derived from the feed-cam be imparted to the needle-carriageor to the hammer and adjacent anvil, as the straightening action will bethe samein either case.

As represented, more particularly in Fig. 12 the projection 219 of thecam 219 for engagement with the stop-bar 218. is arranged in registerwith the portions 37, 37 and 37 of the feed-cam groove or path-way 37 inorder that the action of the hannner may be interrupted while theneedle-holding chuck discharges a straightened needle. and receives anunstraightened needle and while it is moving backwardly from the finalstraightening position and advancing to extreme initial straighteningposition relative to the anvil. The cam 21!) is preferably so adjustedupon the supporting shaft 39 that the period of action of the hammer istimed for the production of a slightly greater number of impacts nearthe eye than near the shank.

It is necessary that the rotation of the needle-chuck should cease aftereach' straightening operation to bring the chuck-jaws into register withthe spring- Ti'ws of the ruredle-lmpper and maintain them in suchrelation during the discharge of a straight ened needle and intrmluctionof a succeeding unstraightened needle. To this end. the fixed bushingupon the chuck-spindle it; is provided upon the outer face with two lugs222 which are adapted to be engaged by the. projecting nose 223 of astop-bolt 224 mounted in a suitable transverse guideway in a standard225 secured upon the base-plate 27 of the chuck-carriage by means ofscrews 2:26. The standard 225 has a slot- 22? through which passes alaterally pro jccting stud 228 carried by the stop-bolt 22- which studis adapted for engagement by the spaced members 229 of the upwardlyextending arm 230 of an angle-lever fulcrumed by means of the stud-screw231 upon the standard 225 and having a laterally extending wedge-pointedarm 232 adapted for engagement alternately with the opposite faces ofthe wedge-pointed plug 233 fitted within a transverse socket 234- formedtherefor in the base of the standard 225 with its reduced shank 235passing through an aperture in the plug 236 at the inner end of thesocketybetween which and the enlarged forward end of the plug 293 isinterposed the spring 237 by which the plug is yieldingly maintained inoperative relation with the arm 232 of the angle lever. so that the.latter is maintained by the action of the spring 237 in one or the otherof its extreme positions, whereby the nose 223 of the stop-bolt is heldin extreme advance or operative position within the path of movement ofthe studs 222. as represented in Fig. -l. or wholly retracted therefromso as to permit the studs 222 to freely pass the end of the stop-bolt.In the position of the stop-bolt represented in Fig. 4, the nose 223thereof is in positive engagement with a stud 222 of the bushing 80, andthe chuck-spindle 4G is restrained from movement in needle-clamping and-unclamping position, while the grooved pulley -H- is permitted tocontinue its rotation under the action of its driving belt.

The stop-bolt operating angle-lever has a rearwardlv extending arm 238provided with a socket in which is secured by means of the set-screw 239the stem 240 of a rearwardly extending ball-stud 241 which is carried bvthe chuck-carriage into engagement with a substantially lozenge-shapedcam-block 242 having a lateral boss 243 which is journaled in theupright member 244 of a bracket whose foot 245 is suitably secured uponthe machine bed. the inner cxtrmnitv of the boss 24? being provided witha diametrical tongue 2 6 to which is fitted the cross-bar 247 which issecured thereon by means of the screw 248. As before indicated. thecam-block 242 has the general form of a rhombus. and two of the oppositeedges are fiat adjacent the outer t mities and formed with. curvedshoulders 2-19 terminating slightly beyond the axis of the boss 24.3.The upper end of the cross-bar 247 is limited in its vibratorymoven'ients by engagement with the points of the stop-screws 250 and 251tapped into the spaced lugs laterally offset from the la-acket-member24+ and secured in position 1)" means of the set-nuts 253. and suchcross-bar is 'n'mally maintained in contact with the stop-screw 2.70 bmeans of af spring 25-1- having one end secured bv means of a screw 25.)upon the foot of the bracketl'uu piece and the other end engaged by ahook 256 at the extremity of the lower arm of the cross-bar 2&7.

As represented in the drawings, the chuckcarriage is in retractedpositionflvith the stop-bolt operating angle-lever tilted upon itsfulcrum for maintenance of the stopbolt in advance or chuck-spindlearresting position, and the ball-stud 241 in upper retracted positionabore the fulcrum 213 of the team-block 2&2 After the discharge of thestraightened needle and introduction of the new needle, the needlehopperis raised under the action of the cam 122 and the clinch-carriage beginsits advance under the action of the cam 38. The ball-stud 211 is therebycarried beneath the upper point of the cam-block 242 and rides down theinclined under side of the same until it reaches the shoulder 2&9, whenit tilts the cam-block temporarily in opposition to the spring 25%, andis at the same time pressed downwardly so as to throw the angle-leverarm 238 below the fulcrum-stud 243: which brings the nose of the arm 232upon the opposite side of'the point of the holding plug 233, whosespring causes the shifting of the angle-lever,and hence of the arm 230into extreme retracted position, and the engagement of one of themembers 229 of such arm with the stud 228 of the stop-bolt by means ofwhich the latter is retracted to inoperative position and thechuck-spindle released for rotation with the pulleywheel 84.. Thepulley-wheel continues its rotation during the advance of thechuckcarriage and the return feed of the latter while the hammerperforms its function, but as the carriage approaches extreme retractedposition, the ball-stud 24:1 rides up the inclined edge of the cam-block242 adjacent the lower point and engages the shoulder 249, which tiltsthe cam-block to disengage the same, and at the same time rocks thestop-bolt operating angle-lever to throw the same into the other extremeposition, which causes the advance of the stop-bolt into operativeposition and the consequent arrest of the rotation of theclnIck-spindle, as before described. It will. be observed that aftereach engagement of the ball-stud 211 with the oscillating camblock .242,the springifia causes the return of the latter to initial position withits lower end inclined downwardly and forwardly in the direction ofadvanceof the chuck-carriage.

The machine bed 3 is provided with an aperture substantially beneath theneedlehopper through which passes the spout 257 of a receptacle 258secured by means of the standard 259 and screws 260 upon the top of thebed and adapted to catch the needles as they are discharged by the chuckand convey 'them into a tray supported upon the base 1 of the machine.The tray is shown herein longitudinally into two compartments by meansof the partition 262, and each compartment is divided into a series ofsmaller compartments by means of division-plate 263 with the U-shapedpartition members 264 forming needle-receiving compartments adapted toreceive successively a predetermined number of needles as they aredelivered from the spout 257. The tray rests upon the inclined travelingplatform 265 upon which it is held in place by means of the casing 266embracing the front side and the opposite ends and itself held inposition by means of steady pins 267secured to the ends and projectingdownwardly through two sets of holes 268 provided therefor in theplatform. Either of the two rows of needle compartments may be broughtinto register with the lower end of the spout 257 by shifting the case266 to bring its steady-pins 267 into register with the'correspondingpair of apertures 268 in the platform 265. The platform is provided uponits under side and near the inner edge with two parallel ribs 269 toform a grooi e which is entered by the top of a longitudinally extendingguide-rail 270 secured upon the base-plate 1 by means of the screws 271.The rail 270 affords a support and uide for the inner portion of thep1atform265 whose outer or comprising a rectangular box 261 dividedforward edge rests upon the top of the baseoperative end 275 of apawl-lever 276 pivotally connected by means of'the stud-screw 277 to aboss 278 at one end of a rock-lever 279 fulcrumed upon a stud-screw 280and carrying at its opposite end a stud 281 adapted for engagement witha laterally projecting cam-tooth 282' upon a plate 283 secured by meansof screws 284 within a recess in the face of a pin-wheel 285 mounted bymeans of a stud-screw 286 upon a standard 287 having its foot 288secured by means of bolts 289 upon the base-plate 1 and into which thefulcrum-stud 280 of the rock-lever 279 is tapped. The stud 281 of therock-lever 279 is normally maintainedin operative relation with ,thepin-wheel 285 by means of a spring 290 having one end secured to a hook291 near the opposite end of said lever and the other end secured by ascrew 292 to the baseplate 1; while the pawl-lever 276 is yieldinglymaintained in operative relation with the rack-teeth 2741 carried by thetraveling platform by means of a spring 293 having one end connectedwith a hook 294 thereon and the other end secured by a screw 295 uponthe face of a ratchet-wheel 300 mounted 1 represented,

upon a screw-stud 301 tapped into the standard 287 and having itsperipheral teeth in operative relation with a reciprocating pawl 302pivotally mounted upon a pin 303 at one end of a rock-lever 301 mountedupon a fulcrum-pin 305 carried by a bracket-piece 306 attached to thebottom of the bed 3,

the downwardly curved opposite end of the rock-lever resting upon thecam-cylinder 307 fixed upon the. cam-shaft 39 and provided at one pointin its periphery with a. cam-projection 308 adapted to tilt therock-lever 3% once for each rotation of the cam-shaft to advance the'i'fitCllEt-UJBl 300 one tooth in its step-by-step rotation. The pawl302 1s maintained in contact relation with the toothed periphery of theratchet-wheel 300 by means of a spring 309 connected with the same atone end and at the opposite end with a hook 310 carried by the bed 3;and the ratchetwheel is restrained against retrograde movement by meansof a springdetent 311 secured by means of a screw 312 upon. the top ofthe standard 287. As herein the ratchet-wheel 300 has twenty teeth andthe pin-wheel 285 has ten lateral pins, and it will therefore be seen,

' that for each complete rotation of the pinwheel 285 and consequentlyfor each engage ment of the cam-tooth 282 with the stud 281 01 therock-lever 279, the cam-shaft 39 makes two hundred complete rotations,each rotation marking the completion of a needlestraightening operation;and as the ratchetteeth 274 upon the platform 265 are of a length equalto the'width of the smaller needle-compartmcnts of the tray, it will beseen that each actuation of the rock-lever 279 after the straighteningof every two hundred needles will impart to the tray a lateral movementto bring a dillerent unfilled needle-compartment in register with thespout of the needle receptacle 258 so thateach needle coi'npartment willhave delivered thereto a predetermined number of needles, in the presentinstance 200.

As the needlehopper sustaining arm 99 is secured upon the rock-shaft 102by a setscrew 101, it will be observed that the operative positions ofthe needle-holding jaws 96 for deliverv of needles to the chuck-jaws maybe adjusted by properly setting the arm 99 upon the rock-shaft, but toadjust the needle-shank holding aws 96 with greater nicety relatively tothe chuck-jaws,

adjusting means are shown in connection with the link 115. To this end,the link 115 has secured thereto by means of the screwstud 313 a block814 carrying the. adjusting screw 815 whose point is adapted to restupon a lug 316 projecting from the top of the bed 3,. this adjustingscrew being provided with a set-nut 317 for maintaining it in position.The needle-hopper sustaining arm 99 having been adjusted upon therockshaft 102 into approximatelythe right position, the final adjustmentis made by means of the adjusting screw 315 to properly locate thesustaining pin 11-1 for the rock-shaft arm 12st so as to cause thespring-holding jaws 96 to accurately register with thechuck-jaws whendelivering needles thereto, the elevation of the link in such casecausing the pin 121 of the lever 117 to be arrested in its downwardmovement somewhat above the bottom of the notch 123 when the needlehopper is moved into operative position.

In preparing the machine for operation, the anvil 135 is adjusted towardor from the axis of the chuck-spindle by manipulation of the adjustingscrews 1&2 and 1 14 to shift the wedge-plate transversely of themachine, the operative edge 136 of the anvil being properly set at oneside of and slightly more than a half-diameter from said axis. ofrotation suitable for operation upon the size and temper of the needleto be straightened. The hammer-head 148 is also adjusted upon the helve149 to bring its path of movement at the required distance from the faceof the anvil to give the desired degree of abruptness in the bend of theneedle imparted by the hammer blows. While the feeler-arms are in thenormal position which they assume in embracing a perfectly straightneedle, the'wedge-block 182 assumes an initial position nearest thehammerrock-shaft 153. The inclined lower edge 177 of the striker-arm 177affords a seat for contact with the wedge-block, and while such partsare in operative relation, in the initial position of the wedge-blockand while the machine is at rest, the adjusting screws 179 and 180 aremanipulated to adjust the nose of the hammer in normal advance orstraightening position so as to just touch the upper side of astraightened needle, and the arm 171 is so set upon the hammerrock-shaftas to adjust the spring 173 to impart, in conjunction with the weight ofthe hammer, the requisite intensity of blow for the work to be performePreparatory to starting the machine, the chuck-carriage is retracted andthe chuck-jaws are opened, the rotation of the chuck-spindle beingarrested by the operative engagement of the stop-bolt 224 with the lug222, and the hammer movements being arrested by the elevation of thestop-bar 218 to lift the hammer out of operative relation with itsactuating cam 159. As the machine is started, the needle-hopper descendsand places its lower most needle, yicldingly held by the springjaws 96,between the chuck-jaws 55, which close thereon after which theneedle-hopper motion. to deliver its initial series of straight winblowsupon the needle-blade near the shank. As the carriage performs itsreturn m e-feeding movement under the action e cam38 its travel is muchslower than advance, and the hammer continues its on upon the needlewith blows ot' vary-- ing intensity under the influence of the v .ingwedge-block governed by the feeler 'wl'iose in closely embrace theneedle and follow its deflections from the normal axial line. lll'n*raightening action continues until theneel a has receded. so far as tobring its eye nearly or quite to the operative edge ot the anvil, whenthe final series of con- "centratcd. straightening blows-is delivered,

after which the rise of the stop-bar 2-18 interrupts the hammer blowsand the return of the needle to initial retracted position is effectedwithout further operation of the hammer thereon. As the carriage nearsits rl d position, the stop-bolt 22% is again an need toward thechuck-spindle and its enga ement with lone of the lugs 222 arrests ithits jaws 55 in horizontal potln: chuck on, as represented in thedrawings, after which the advance oiithe release rod 62 under the actionof the cam 79 causes the opening of the chuclnjaws and discharge of theneedle into the receptacle 258 by means of WlllCl'l it is directed intothe proper compartment of the ncedle-tray.

it will be observed that the hammer, comprising the lielve 149 and head148 with its nose 14-5, is self-acting, in that the lifting cam 159,elsewhere herein termed its actumeans, serves merely to retract and useit, the operative movement of the hammer being produced partly bygravity and partly by the spring 173.

The impact-regulating wedge-block 182 is normally set, in the presentembodiment of the invention, tosustain the nose of the hammer spacedslightly above the blade of a perfectly straight needle when at rest,and thus the hammerholder hits the wedge-block before the hammer-headhits the needle. The overthrow of the hammer-head from normal arrestedposition in order to produce the impact results from the resilience ofthe helve or holder in conjunction with the momentumof the hammer-headin dropping from retracted position under the action of observed that,the points of contact of thehammer and feeler are spaced apart length:

a 8 descends and the hammer begins itsv incense wise of the needle, notonly for locationof the anvil iiiel'ween them, but to 'lIlSlll'GGfiGC-tiveness in the control of the hammer blows.

As is well known to needle manufacturers, one of the eii'ects of thehardening operation upon a previously grooved needle is to produce acurvature therein in the pl-:ne oil the axis of the needle and towardits grooved side, the deflection of the needle blade in such directionbeing progressive from near its junction with the shank, and thereforegreater in the eyed and pointed portion. As the feeler is not onlyspaced. from, but is disposed nearer the needle point than the hammer,it has a greater traverse, and is thus far more sensitive in its controlof the impact-regulating wedge-block than if it were disposed close tothe impact point or on the shank side thereof. This comparatively widelatitude of operation of the feeler is obviously facilitated by thesetting ofthe anvil slightly below the lower side of a straightenedneedle, thereby permitting an unstraightened needle to performunrestrict edly a gyratory movement which is followed in the vibratorymovements of the feelerarms 198 and 203'.

It is obvious that the operation of the straightening mechanism wouldnot be materially affected by the addition of a needle support orsecondary anvil disposed intermediate the path of the hammer and thechuck for the purpose of relieving the latter from the effect of theimpact of the hammer upon the needle; as in such case the effectivebending operation for straightening the needle-blade would still beperformed by the hammer in conjunction with the anvil located farthestfrom the needle-chuck. As the object in interrupting the rotation of thechuck is merely to provide for the lateral discharge and introduction ofneedles, it is evident that the rotation arresting means would not berequired were the needles in troduced axially through a tubularchuckoperatlng rod 62, as has been proposed heretofore in connectionwith needle-holding chucks.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that the method ofendwise movement ofthe needle, or the character of its movementtoward-the anvil under the action of the feed; cam 38, is the same foreach needle stra1ghtening cycle, whether such movement be uniform orvariable. It will also be observed that, whether the hammermovements beof uniform or variable fre quency, they are in the present machinecontrolled as to frequency independently of the character or conditionof the needle to be straightened, and are therefore of predeter minednumber in each needle-straightening cycle, whereby each straighteningmhvcment ofthe'hammer is caused to have a and predetermined relationwith the position of y i isa-nee the movable needle-support or chuck ateach stage of the successive needle-straightening operations. Therefore,the feeding movements and hammer-strokes are timed precisely the samefor a succession of needles acted upon by the mach ne, the onlyvariations in theaction of the machine upon successive needles being inthe character of the hammer-impact under the control of the feelerconforming in its operative ments with the degree of deflection needle.

Having thus set forth the nature invention, what I claim herein is 1. Ina needle-straightening machine, the combination with a pluralit ofsupports upon which the needle rests leaving an unsupported portionbetween them, of an im pact-straightener operating upon said unsupportedportion between said supports, and means whereby continuous turningmovements are imparted to the needle throughout the straighteningoperation.

2. In a needle-straightening machine, in

of the combination, a support for the unpointed end of the needlewhereby continuous turning movements are imparted to the needle, asecond support leaving an unsupported portion of the needle between itand the first support, an impact-st"aightener operating upon saidunsupported portion of the needle between said supports, and meanswhereby said first support moved. backward and, thereby draws the needleendwise past said second support and said impactstraiglitener.

3. In a needle-straightening machine, in combination, an anvil, ahammer, means whereby the forward position of thc'hammer when at restmay be ad] listed at a point slightly more removed from the plane of theanvil than the diameter of the needleblade, and means controlled by anelement contacting with the needle upon the opposite side of the anvilfrom the hammer whereby the intensity of the hammer action is regulated.

a. In a needle-straightening machine, in combination, an anvil, ahammer, a. trip for alternately retracting and releasing said hammer,and means whereby the needleblade is normally held so that when straightit will be slightly out of contact with the anvil.

In a straightening machine, in combination, a plurality of separatedneedle-supports, a straightener operating between the same, and a devicewhereby a helical feeding movementrelative to said straightener isimparted to the needle, and means whereby dwell in pitch is produced fora portion of said movement.

(3. In a straightening machine, in combi nation, a plurality ofseparated supports, a straightener operating betweenthe same,

moveof the and a feeding device acting upon the needle to move its bladepast said straightener, and having means for retarding, the i'uovementof the needle when its eyedportion is in operative relation with thestraightener.

7. in a staightening machine, in combination, a plurality of separatedsupports, a

straightener operating between the same,-

tance greater than the diameter ofthe latter from the impact-point ofthe hammer for controlling the action of said impactregulator.

t). In a straipditening machine, the combination with needle-s11pportingmeans and a hammer, of a trip acting upon said hammer, and an automaticimpact-regulator for said hammer.

10. In a straightening machine, the combination with a. plurality ofseparated supports, of an impact straightener operating between the sameand constantly close to one thereof, means for separating said supports,and means for imparting to the article to be straightened turningmovements bearing a. fixed relation to the frequency of the impacts ofsaid straightener.

11. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-sirpportingmeans, of a hammer, an automatically acting impact regulator thereforcomprising an adjustable stop and a trip for said hammer.

12. In a strais hteninomachine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of a hammer, an automatically acting impactregida'tor thereforindependent of the same,

and a feeler whereby said regulator is controlled by the eecentr1c1t1esof the needle contacted by said feeler.

13. In a needle-strai rhtenmg machine, in combination. necdle-turuin;means, a teeler all embracing: the needle, and an impact regulatormechanically connected therewith.

it. In a straightening machine, the combination with an anvil, of ahammer and a feeler on opposite sides of said anvil, and aninipact-regulator controlled by said fccler.

15. In a. straightening machine, the combinution with needle-s1ipportingmeans, of a hammer. an automatically acting impactrcgulator therefor,anda feolcr supported independently of the hammer for controlling; saidregulator and contacting; with the needle upon opposite sides of itsblade.

16. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of

a hammer, a feeler supported independently of the hammer and contactingwith the needle upon the same side thereof as the hammer, and animpact-regulator controlled by the feeler.

17. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of a hammer, a feeler supported independently of the hammer and"contacting with the and an impact-regulatr controlled by the feeler. Vr V 18. In a straightening machine,'the combination withneedle-supporting means,.-of-

a hammer and a feeler contacting with the same bend of theunstraightened needle at different longitudinal points at a Substantialdistance apart, and an impact-regulator controlled by the feeler.

19. In a straighteningmachine,"the com bination with needle-supportingmeans, of a hammer, an impact-regulator therefor, and a substantiallyfloating feeler contacting with the needleblade and adapted to controlthe impactmegulator.

20. In a needle-straightening machine, in combination, a feeler, ani1npactregulat0r, connecting mechanism, and a substantially unitarysupport for said feeler and connecting mechanism. V

21. Ina needle-straightening machinefin combination, a feeler containingtwo 'contact members means for adjusting one of said contact memberstoward and from the other, and an impact regulator connected with saidfeelcr. r

22. In a needle-straightening machine, in combination, a feeler contactmember, a pivotally mounted arm supporting the same independently of thehammer and" an impact regulator mechanically connected there with.

23. In a needle-straightening machine, in combination, a feeler contactmember, an arm supporting the same and extended endwise of the needleand an impact regulator connected therewith. r

24. In aneedle-straightening machine, in combination, a feelercontaining two contact members, arms respectively supporting the sameand between which arms the needle projects, and an impact regulatorconnected with said arms.

25. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, a reciprocatinghammer having a path of movement adjacent said anvil and intermediatethe latter. and the needlesupporting means, actuating means for saidhammer, and means forproducing between the needle and the hammerrelative feeding movements lengthwise of the needle and simultaneousturn ng movements, 7

. 3 26. In a straightening machine, the'comre atively remote from theneedle-supporting meansfbut-intermediate the latter and the anvil,positively acting mechanism for successively retracting and releasingsaid hammer to'permitthe same to strike the needle simultaneously withthe hammer needle at -a point adjacent the anvil, and

means for produci'ng'between the needle and a path of movementadjacentsaid. anvil and relatively remote from the needle-chuck but:

intermediate the latter and the anvil, and actuating means for saidhammer.

28. In a straightening machine thecombination with a rotary'and axiallymoving needle-chuck and means for imparting axial movements thereto, ofan anvil disposed eccentrically to the axis of rotation of said chuck, areciprocatin hammer having a path of movement ad acent said anvil and frelatively remote from the needle-chuck but intermediate the latter andthe anvil, actuating means for said hammer, and means forcontinuouslyrotating said chuck during the period of operation of thehammer.

2,9. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, a reciprocatinghammer havin apath of movement adjacent said anvi, actuating means forsaid hammeryand an impact-regulatormechanicall actuated by thedeflection of the needle rom its axis whereby the impact of the hammeris determined.

30. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supp0rtingmeans, of an anvildisposed at one side of the needle, areciprocating'hammer having a path of movement adjacent said anvil andintermediate the latter and the needlesupportin means and provided withmeans for latera adjustment toward and from said anvil, and actuatingmeans for said hammer.

31. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of

a rock-shaft, a hammer comprising a'helve 190 o a rock-shaft, a

fixed upon said rock-shaft and having a hammer-head with a pathofmovement adjacent said anvil and formed with a seat distant from saidrockshaft, actuating means for said hammer, a stop-member having anoperative face disposed in the path of movement of said seat of thehammerhelve, and adjusting means for said stop including a controllingmember engaging the needle and actuated by the deflection of the samefrom its axis whereby the impact of the hammer is varied.

33. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, a rock-shaft. ahammer comprising a helve fixed upon said rock-shaft and having ahammer-head with a path of movement adjacent said anvil and providedwith a lateral wing affordinga seat distant from said rockshaft, aperipherally toothed actuating cam for alternately retracting andreleasing the hammer-helve preparatory to each operative stroke of thehammer, a wedge-block supported within the path of movement of said wingand movable toward andfrom said rock-shaft and having an inclined faceadapted for contact with the seat of said wing of the hammer-helve, andadjusting means, for said wedge-block controlled by the deflection ofthe needle from its axis.

34-. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, hammer comprisinga hclve fixed upon said rock-shaft and having a hammer-head with a pathof movement adjacent said anvil, said helve being provided with a seatremote from said rock-shaft and with means for adjustment of said seatin the direction 0' its movement 'upon said rock-shaft, actuating meansfor said hammer, a stop-member having an operative face disposed in thepath of movement of said seat of the hammer-helve, and adjusting meansfor said stop-member including a controlling member engaging the needleand actuated by the deflection of the same from its axis whereby thehammer-stroke is varied.

35. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, a rock-shaft, ahammer comprising a helve fixed upon said rock-shaft and having ahaminer-head with a path of movement adjacent said wing in substantiallyradial relation with said rock-shaft, a mei'nber connected with one faceof said wing and adjustable toward. and from the same and provided witha contact-seat, actuating means for said hammer, a stop-member having anoperative face disposed in the path of movement of said contact-seat,and adjusting means for said stop-member including a controljacent saidanvil, means for anvil. and pri'ivided with a lateral ling memberengaging the needle and actuated by the deflection of the same from itsaxis whereby the hammer-impact is varied.

216; In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, a reciprocatinghammer having a path of movement adjacent said anvil, actuating meanstherefor, and means independent of said actuating means for varying theimpact of the hammer.

37. In a straightening machine, the co bination with needle-supportingmeans, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, a horizontallydisposed hammer-rock-shaft, a hammer comprising a laterally extendinghelve fixed upon said rock-shaft and a hammer-head carried by said helveand moving in a path adjacent said anvil, means for alternately liftingand releasing said hammer, and a spring acting in opposition to thehammer-lifting means whereby a peening action is imparted to the hammer.

38. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of a hammer, a vibratory holder therefor provided with ashoulder, a fixed stop-member toward and from which said shoulder moves,a movable stop-member interposedbetween the fixed stop-member and saidshoulder and movable toward and from the axis of motion of said holder,and shifting means for said movable stop-member:

39. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, ahaminer-rock-shaft, a .haim-ner comprising a helve fixed upon saidrock-shaft and a.

hammer-head carried by said helve and moving in a path ad acent saidanvil, means for alternately lift ng and releaslng said hanmier, aspring acting in opposition to the han'nner-lifting means, whereby apearling action is imparted to the hammer, and independent means forvarying the extent and force of the hammer action.

4-0. In a strziightci'iing machine, the combination withneedle-sustaining means, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle,a reciprocating hammer moving in a path adproducing between the needleand the hammer relative feeding n'iovelnents lengthwise of the needle,actuating means for said hammer, and hammer arresting means forinterriu'iting the operation of the hammer while the needle supportingmeans and the hammer are farthest separated in the relative positionsoccupied substantially at the completion of a feeding movement.

41. In a st 'aightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, a reciprocatinghammer moving in a path adjacent said anvil, actuating means for andmeans for shifting 1 a reciprocating hammer moving in a path adjacentsaid anvil, means for producing between the needle and the hammerrelative feeding movements lengthwise of the needle,

actuating means for alternately retracting and releasing said hammer toenable it to perform its operative movements, a hammer-- arrestingmember normally out of the range of movement of said hammer, andactuating means therefor acting when the needle-supporting means and thehammer are relatively in substantially extreme retracted position andadapted to shift said arresting member for retraction of the hammer outof the range of movement of its actuating means.

43. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportinmeans, of an anvil disposed at one side 0 the needle, a hammei'-1'ocl-shaft, a self-acting hammer comprising a 'helve fixed upon. saidrockshaft and a hammer-head carried by said helveand moving in a pathadjacent said anvil, a rotary peripherally toothed cam for alternatelyretracting and releasing said hammer to enable it to perform itsoperative movements, an arresting member nor-- mally out of the range ofmovement of the hammer-helve, and actuating means therefor acting when.the needle-supporting means and the hammer are relatively in substan,

tially extreme retracted position and adapted to shift said arrestingmember into en gagement with the hammenhelve distance exceedingthenormal operative movement of the latter and thereby move it out ofthe range of movement of its actuating means,

4.4. In astraightening machine, the combination with needle-supportinmeans, of an' anvil disposed at one side 0 the needle, 9, reciprocatlnghammer moving in a path adjacent said anvil, means for producing betweenthe needle and the hammenielative feeding movements lengthwise of theneedle, actuating means for said hammer, adjusting means actuated by thedeflection of the nee dle whereby the stroke of the hammer is varied,and arresting means for interrupt ing the action of the hanmier when thenecdie-supporting means and the hammer are relatively in substantiallyextreme retracted position. I p

In a straightening machine, the coinhination with a support, a rotarychuck mounted thereon and provided with means for rotating the same, aneedle-hopper movable toward and from said chuck while in retractedposition and during the interrnp 1,1o4,esa

movemcnts to the chuck, andoperati movements to saidneedle-hopper, andfoi :tuating the hammer arresting means for inter. ruption of the actionof the hammer after the completion of a feeding movement, and means forarresting the rotation", of said chuck during the opening and closing ofthe same.

46. in a straightening machine, the com bination with a travelingcarriage, a rotary chuck mounted thereon and provided with means forrotating the same, a needle-hop per movable toward and from said chuckWhile in retracted position and during the interruption of itsrotations, an anvil dis posed eccei'itrically to theaxis of rotation. of

the chuck, a hammer movable in a path adjacent saidanvi],hammer-actuating means,

hammerarresting means, a cam-shaft, atl ng cams thereon adaptedrespective :tor

J imparting periodically traveling movements to the chuck carriage,opening and closii movements to the chuck while the ca remains inretracted position, and open .nc movements to said needle-hopper, andfor actuating the hammer-arresting means for interruption of the actionof the hammer in the retracted position of said carriage, and meansactuated independently of said cam shaft for arresting the rotation ofsaid chuck during the opening and closing of the same 47. In astraightening machine, the combination with a traveling carriage, arotary chuck mounted thereon and provided with means for rotating thesame, a ncedle-hopper movable toward and. from said chuck while inrot-acted position and during the interruption of its rotations, ananvil disposed eccentrically to the aXis of rotation of the chuck, ahammer movable in a path adjacent said anvil, hamnier-actuating means,hammer-arresting means, a camshaft, actuating cams thereon adaptedrespectively for imparting periodically traveling movements to thechuck-carriage, opening and closing moven'ients to the (lllhxlil whilethe carriage remains in retracted position, and operative movements tosaid needle-hopper, and for actuating the hammer-arresting means forinterruption of the action of the hammer in the retracted position ofsaid carriage, and means rontrollcd by the travel of the chuclccarrir'for ar resting the rotation of said chm during the opening and closingof the same.

48. In a straightening machine, the coinmesses bination with a support,a chuck-spindle journaled therein and carrying a needlechuck, an anvildisposed eccentrically to the axis of the chuck-spindle, a hammermovable in a path adjacent said anvil, and

means for producing between said supportv and the hammer relativefeeding movements lengthwise of said axis, of a pulley adapted forconnection with the source of power, a frictional connection betweensaid pulley and the chuck-spindle, and means for locking saidchuck-spindle from rotation while the pulley continues to rotate.

rotation while the pulley continues to rotate.

50. In a straighteninlg machine, the combination with atravelingcarriage, a chuckspindle journaled therein and carrying a nedle-chuck, an anvil disposed eccentrica ly to the axis of thechuck-spindle, and a hammer movable in a path adjacent said anvil, of apulley adapted for connection with the source of power, a frictionalconnection between said pulley and the chuckspindle, means for lockingsaid chuclespindle from rotation while the pulley contindes to'rotateand, including a stud fixed upon the chuck-spindle, a stop-bolt mountedupon the carriage and movable into and out of the path of movement ofsaid stud, shifting means for said stop-bolt also mounted upon thecarriage, and a cam-block mounted upon a fixed support and disposedwithin the path of movement of the stop-bolt shifting means, whereby thestop-bolt is shifted into and out of operative relation. with said studrespectively as the carriage approaches and re codes from extremeretracted position. I

51. In a straightening machine. the combination with a travelingcarriage, a chuck mounted thereon, a needle-hopper movable toward andfrom said chuck while in one of its extreme positions, an anvil disposedcccentrically to the axis of said chuck. a hammer movable in a pathadjacent said anvil, hamiue actuating means, hammer-arresting means, aam-shaft, actuating cams thereon adapted respectively for impartingperiodically traveling movements to the chuckcarriage, opening andclosing movements to the chuck while the carriage remains in retractedposition, and operative movements to said needle-hopper, and foractuating the hammer-arresting means for interrup ion of the action ofthe hammer in the retracted position of the carriage, a main-shaftoperatively connected with said cam-shaftand the liaminer-actuatingmeans, a pulley adapted for connectioirwith the source of power, and ayielding connection between said pulley and the fiiaiipshaft adapted toyield to permit the stoppage of the mainshaft under abnormal loadimposed thereon. by the driven parts connected therewith.

In a straightening machine, the com bination with a needle-holder, meanswherel by needles may be inserted in and dis-- charged from said holder,an anvil disposed eccentrically to the axis of a needle inopiited insaid holder. ahaminer movable in a path adjacent said anvil, means forproducing relative "feeding movements between said holder and thehammer, and actuating means for the several movable parts, of aneedletray formed with a series of needle compartments, a receptacledisposed adjacent said needle-holder and provided with a spout (lirected toward said needle-tray, and means connected with an operativepart of the ma chine for longitudinally shifting the-tray the width ofone compartment for delivery of each succession of needles ofpredetermined number.

53111 a straightening machine, the combination with a needle-holder,means whereby needles may be inserted in and discharged from saidholder, an anvil disposed eccentrically to the axis of a needle mountedin said holder, a hammer mo 'able ina path adjacent said anvil, meansfor producing relative feeding movements between said holder and thehammer, and actuating means including a rotary cam-shaft carrying aseries of cams for imparting operative movements to the several movablepartsyof a needletray formed with series of needle compartments, atraveling platform therefor provided with a series of ratchet-teethhaving a pitch corresponding with the width of said needlecon'ipartments, a rook-lever, a pawl mounted thereon in operativerelation with said ratchet-teeth. a rotary cam member provided withactuating means for said roclslever, and an operative speedieducingconnection between said cam member and the camshaft.

5- hinationwith needle-s1ipporting means, of a hammer. and anautoumticallv acting impact-regulator therefor having a constant bearingupon and adapted to limit the advance ot' the hammer toward the needle.

57 in a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of hammer, and an automatically acting impact-regulator thereforhaving a bearing upon the article being acted upon removed a substantialdistance lengthwise of said an ticle from the face of thehamnier.

in a straightening, machine. the com 56. In a straightening machine, thecome bination with needle-supporting means, of a hammer, and anautomatically acting, 1m-

pact-regulator therefor separate .trom the for supporting theimpact-regulator inde- I pendently of 'the hammer.

bination, an ,anvil, a hammer, a hammer- 58. In a straighteningmachine,'the combination with needle-supporting means, of a hammer,a'resilient hammer-holder, mechanism for operating said hammer-holder,and

an automatically acting impact-regulator applied to said mechanism,

59. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of a hammer, an automatically acting impactregulator therefor,and an anvil inter osed between said hammer and impact-regu ator.

60. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supportingmeans, of a hammer, an automatically acting impactregulator adapted tolimit the advance of the hammer toward the needle, and means wherebytheneedle is fed helically before the hammer. 4

61. In a straightening machine, in com bination,; needle-supportingmeans, a ham: mer, and animpact reguiator for the hammer controlled ythe needle at the instant of engagement of the hammer therewith tocontrol the effectiveness of said engagement.

62. In a straightening machine',in combi-' nation, needle-supportingmeans, a hammer, an impact=regulator adapted to limit the advance of thehammer toward the needle, and a feeler contacting with the needle andcontrolling said regulator at the instant of imact. 63. In astraightening machine, the combination with'needle-supporting means anda hammer, of an impact-regulator, a -feeler contacting with'the needlebetween the hammer and the needle point, and a connection between saidfeeler and impact-regulator.

64.-'In a straightening machine, the combination with a needle-support,an anvil spaced therefrom, and a hammer, of an impact-regulator, afeeler disposed upon the opposite side of said anvil from the hammer andcontacting with the needle between the hammer and the needle polnt, anda connection between said feeler and impact regulator. 65. In astraightening machine, 1n comsupport, and means; whereby the forwardmovement of said hammer-support is arrested when thehammer is at a pointslightly more removed; from the plane of .bination, an anvil,- a hammer,a hammer-support, a resilient connection between said hammer andhammer-support, and means whereby the forward movement of saidhammer-support is arrested when the hammer is about to deliver its blowand whereby said resilient connection permits the hammer-blow to bedelivered by momentum.

67. In a straightening machine, in combination, an anvil, a hammer, aresilient hammer-holder, and mechanism for dropping the hammer-holder tothe point of about delivering the blow, whereby said resilient holderpermits the blow to be delivered by momentum.

68. In combination, an anvil, means for rotating the needle on itsnormal axis, a hammer, a hammer-support, and a stop hit by thehammer-support before the impact of the hammer-head.

69. In combination, an anvil, means for turning the needle on its normalaxis whereby any bend in the blade is gaged by gyration toward thepoint, a hammer striking such bend backward of the anvil, and meanswhereby the impact of said hammer is reguward of'the anvil.

'70. In combination, an anvil, means for turning the needle on itsnormal axis whereby any bend in the blade is gaged by gyra tion towardthe point, a hammer striking a succession of blows darling eachrotation, and means whereby the i pact of said hammer is regulated bythe amplitude and direction of'such gyration.

71. In a needle-straightening machine, the combination with a pluralityof separated supports, of a hammer movable between the same, means forimparting to the needle an endwise feeding movement relative to one ofsaid supports between extreme positions, and automatically acting meansfor producing a predetermined number 'of operative movements of thehammer during the feed of each needle.

72. In a needle-straightening machine, the combination with a pluralityof separated supports, of a hammer movable between the same, means forimparting to the needle a continuous endwise feeding i'novement relativeto one of said supports between extreme positions, and automaticallyacting means for producing a predetermined number of operative movementsof the hammer during the feed of the needle.

73. In a needle-straightening machine, the combination with an anvil, ofa hammer movable in a path adjacent the same, feeding means forimparting'to the needle endwise. movements crosswise of said anvil,actuating

